2-storey public market to rise in Biliran’s capital town

NAVAL, Biliran — The construction of a P24.1-million two-storey public market in this town is expected to start this month, according to the municipal planning and development officer here.

Planning officer, Engr. Leonardo V. Madeja Jr, said the construction of a new and modern wet and dry market, as a substitute of the old wet market, will establish order among the vendors and will provide comfort to the public.

Engr. Madeja said consultations were made between the engineer-incharge of the design and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH)-Biliran District Engineering Office together with the local government (LGU) officials of Naval as to the final design of the building to fit the increasing demand of trade and commerce in town, make it conducive and comfortable not only for the town residents but for everyone.

“The stalls on the second floor will be for the meat and fish vendors while vendors of vegetables and other agricultural products will occupy the ground floor,” Madeja said, adding that this set-up was based on their study conducted particularly on the behavior of the consumers.

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras and public address system will be installed in strategic areas of the building to ensure security and safety of the public as well as orderliness in the market area, he added.

Madeja appealed for public understanding and cooperation due to temporary reassignment of stalls and public transportation vehicles for the smooth construction of the project.

The meat and fish section, he said, will be placed temporarily at the vacant space in front of the town’s Postal office while the vegetable section will be placed at the tricycle terminal.

The passenger tricycles will then be transferred to the public terminal while the public utility vehicles such as buses, jeepneys, and vans at the public terminal will be transferred to a private lot located along the national highway going to Barangay Caray-Caray.

The whole area of the old wet market will be fenced before the construction works start to ensure public safety, he said.

Madeja advised the public not to bring in their cars or vehicles within the premises or near the public market when the construction starts to avoid traffic congestion.

Madeja said Mayor Gerard Roger M. Espina has urged the contractor to finish the said project within six months, which will start early part of August this year, instead of the eight months project duration. (ldl/rsv/PIA8-Biliran)